High blood pressure in pregnancy

What is too high blood pressure in pregnancy?

Blood pressure should be regularly monitored during pregnancy, which is why measurements are usually taken at each visit to the gynecologist. This is because one of the complications of pregnancy is hypertension in pregnancy, which can carry other consequences and requires appropriate treatment.

Blood pressure in pregnancy should not exceed 140/90mmHg. Measurements exceeding the mentioned values are considered hypertension in pregnancy. If it occurs before 20 week, we are dealing with chronic hypertension diagnosed in pregnancy. If it is found after 20. week of its duration, the doctor diagnoses pregnancy-induced hypertension. The former usually persists up to six weeks after delivery, and the latter passes during the postpartum period. However, any type of hypertension in pregnancy can carry complications, so it requires treatment and ongoing monitoring. 

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Hypertension in pregnancy – what consequences can it have?

High blood pressure in pregnancy- alarming symptoms

In addition to the numerical values on the blood pressure monitor, high blood pressure also manifests itself in the form of headaches, visual disturbances, vomiting or nausea. These are alarming symptoms that require urgent consultation with a doctor. There may also be abdominal pain or swelling-not only of the lower extremities, which is characteristic of physiological pregnancy, but also of the face or hands. Each of these symptoms requires a visit to the emergency room.

How to treat high blood pressure in pregnancy?

High blood pressure in pregnancy requires appropriate management. It is necessary to control parameters such as liver tests, creatinine or LDH, as well as platelet levels or the presence of protein in the urine. For this reason, mothers-to-be, especially in the second half of pregnancy, should be under the care of a gynecologist, who will order the appropriate tests or issue a referral to the hospital if necessary.

Treatment of high blood pressure in pregnancy mainly involves the use of methyldopa, functioning as the drug Dopegyt. It is a prescription drug, the dosage of which is determined by a specialist. Pregnant women struggling with excessively high blood pressure during pregnancy are also advised to modify their diet and lifestyle. Often hypertension, especially chronic hypertension, co-occurs with diabetes and obesity. Other drugs used to treat high blood pressure in moms-to-be include. labetalol or nitrendipine.

In the case of high blood pressure that cannot be lowered pharmacologically and is accompanied by symptoms of preeclampsia, it may be necessary to terminate the pregnancy early. For this reason, in any case of elevated blood pressure in pregnancy, you should consult your doctor or go to the emergency room.

What are the risks of high blood pressure during pregnancy?

High blood pressure in pregnancy can lead to many complications. Among those mentioned are:

• Pre-eclampsia
• HELLP syndrome
• Premature separation of the placenta
• Preterm birth
• Low birth weight
• Intrauterine necrosis

Because of the risk of complications, any mother-to-be who has high blood pressure should be under the care of a specialist. According to the recommendations, in the case of pregnancy-induced hypertension, qualification for delivery should take place at 38. Week of pregnancy to reduce the risk of complications.